One of the things I enjoy doing during my morning quiet time is to sit in my rocking chair. There's plenty of room there for me plus my furry little friends, my dogs Lilly and Bo. There are times when Lilly will come freely and sit on my lap without hesitation and we enjoy cuddling together. Then there are times when I beckon her to come and sit with me only to see her staring, as if frozen in fear. Then she'll shift her eyes to our other dog Bo, who is already sitting next to me. Bo can be possessive, staring Lilly down as if to say, "This is my lap and my chair."When I see this interaction going on between the two dogs, I immediately reassure Lilly that she is to look at me as I open my arms and call out her name. I calm Bo and remind him that there is plenty enough room for both of them. I have heard it said that a dog can be as intelligent as a two-year child. I don't know if that is accurate, but I would have to agree that dogs are definitely smart. They play the same games and act out like a toddler can!
But what stuck in my heart the other day, while calling out to Lilly, is that I too experience this in my own life. Sometimes I stand still, unable to come freely to the throne of grace. I might be frozen with concerns for the future or allowing worries about the past mistakes to hang over me like a cloud. I'm focusing my eyes on such things instead of shifting them onto my Heavenly Father. He is calling out to me to come to Him just as I am, with all of my worries and fears, trusting that He will take care of them and me. He wants me to lay my burdens down and just be...just breathe.
As we approach Easter, let us be reminded that through Christ's death and resurrection we can all come boldly to the Throne of Grace...to come just as we are, with all of our worries and fears, trusting that our Heavenly Father will take care of us and our concerns.Heavenly Father, we come to you and to your throne of grace just as we are. Help us to keep our eyes focused on you and not on the worries of the future, the regrets of the past or the concerns of today. We cast our cares on you, trusting in you to be our everything. In Jesus name Amen (Let it be so)
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrew 4:16 KJV)
Photos provided by Terilyn writer, photopin.com, flicker.com
